How God used the story of Anakin Skywalker to change a life.

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Category Archives: Philippians

Darth Vader is made up of many things; pride, impatience and the effects of bad company just to name a few. He is also full to the brim with anger and fear, and on top of that he was selfish. Anakin Skywalker was given a wonderful gift, one that was to benefit many people, to include himself and everyone that he loved. Yet his power was wasted-at least for a while-and was made to fuel selfish ambition for both himself and Palpatine. Well mainly Palpatine.

Anakin was made to believe that turning to the dark side was a selfless act, he was taking one for the team if you will. He even told Padame that he was doing to protect her and that it would make the galaxy a better place, full of peace, justice and security. However, it was really a selfish act because he was not really doing it to protect her, he was doing it so that he would not have deal with losing her. He was really protecting himself and, to gain the power he just had to have right then. And no one, other than Palpatine, gained anything from this move. Most of the Jedi where dead, Padame died from a broken heart, Obi Wan and Yoda went into hiding and Anakin, well he was imprisoned by his choices.

The Bible tells us in James 3:16, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” What followed the fall of Anakin Skywalker took twenty years to undo and the time of the Empire was full of disorder and plenty of evil. Anakin’s selfishness caused him and those around him to pay a heavy price. His weaknesses were used against him, to make him into something he never should have been.

The enemy of our souls works in very much the same way. He knows what he can use to pick at you and he knows who or what it will effect. Our choices are important but our motivations are just as important if not more so. They can effect everyone around us but especially those closest to us, for we are the gateway to the people we care about. The enemy knows that, and he also knows the spiritual gifts that we possess and the function they are meant to serve in God’s kingdom. Don’t be weighed down by selfishness, pride or impatience. Trust in Gods timing. Surround yourself with good company. Be willing to be humble. Learn to trust in the voice of the spirit, allow him to direct your path. Don’t give in to selfish ambition, for your gifts could be made to serve the enemy for your soul.

In the end it was a selfless act, a truly selfless act, that brought Anakin back and fulfilled his calling that benefited everyone, to include himself. The Bible says in Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” God calls us to value others and their needs above our own. Don’t allow the goodness of your calling to be picked away by selfishness, for you’ll never know (until you get to heaven at least) just how many people it is meant to benefit.